Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) - Training Report of Foreign Entries (as of March 19)

March 19, 2024 (Tuesday)

The following horse entered in the 54th Takamatsunomiya Kinen was transported to Chukyo Racecourse, leaving Horse Racing School quarantine facilities and arriving at the international stables at 18:34 yesterday.

<At Chukyo Racecourse>

Weather: Fine
Going: Good to Firm (turf course)

VICTOR THE WINNER (AUS)

- jogged 200m, cantered 800m and galloped 800m left-handed on turf course
(exercised from 6:54 AM to 7:05 AM, ridden by Ka Chun Leung)

“The horse left the quarantine around 11 o’clock yesterday morning and arrived here around seven last night, so the trip took eight hours. Of course, he was a little bit tired but he looked good and quite relaxed. I walked around the track and the track was very good but the turf on the inside was not very good because there was racing during the weekend. The jockey, Derek, will have some few rides on Sunday, so he will know a little more about the track.

He’s usually a bit relaxed when he gallops by himself, but this morning I watched him in the last 200 meters and he gave me a good feel. After the horse won a group one race in Hong Kong, the next race in Hong Kong was 1,400 meters (Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup), and personally, I don’t think he can handle 1,400 meters. Though the races in Hong Kong are right-handed, he used to be trained left-handed in Australia, and because I think that 1,200 meters is good for him, we decided to race him in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

When I was an assistant trainer for Ivan Allan, I took some horses to the Yasuda Kinen and the Japan Cup, so I know Japanese races. This is my first time to come to the Chukyo Racecourse and it’s very beautiful and well organized.

(comments taken from Chap Shing Shum)

“When I rode him on the turf course this morning, he was interested in everything and was looking around, but when I asked him in the last 200 meters, he gave me a good feel and everything was good.

Chukyo’s turf course is very beautiful, good and the grass is quite firm. This will be his first left-handed race, but this morning he handled the left-handed course well. We need to see how he does in the race, but at the moment, we’re quite confident that he can handle it well.

The horse may be a bit laid back and relaxed in the morning, but in the race, he tries very hard and gives his 120%. He’s a proper group-one horse. He has an early speed so it’s easy for him to get in front and I think it’s going to be the same here. He doesn’t have to be the leader, but we have to see the draw first and then we’ll decide.”

(comments taken from Ka Chun Leung)